Selective deposition of silver particles on {111} or {100} diamond facets

Abstract

In the present work, the surface of synthetic diamond microcrystals was modified by treating them in vials of a planetary mill without milling balls with a silver powder added. The initial diamond crystals were 100 μm in size and had a cuboctahedral shape. During mechanical treatment, the crystals retained their shape, while the silver particles deposited on the {111} facets of diamond. The walls of the vials were worn due to the abrasive action of the diamond crystals, which resulted in the deposition of Fe-based particles on the same diamond facets. Annealing of the surface-modified diamond crystals at 650 °C in air caused redistribution of silver over the surface of the crystals. In the annealed diamond crystals, the silver particles were found only on the {100} facets, while the {111} facets were still coated with the Fe-based particles.